Midterm 2 Flashcards
(144 cards)
Learning
process through which an experience comes to affect a future response
Nonassociative learning
type of learning where the strength of a response changes due to repeated stimulus. two types: habituation and sensitization
Associative learning
type of learning that involves making connections between stimuli and behaviours/consequences
habituation
reduction in response to a repeated stimulus that is unchanging and harmless
Dishabituation
reappearance of a response that had diminished through habituation, usually through the introduction of a new stimulus
sensitization
form of nonassociatve learning where repeated exposure to a stimulus leads to increased response over time
classical conditioning
conditioning that happens when a unconditioned stimulus is paired with a conditioned stimulus such that the unconditioned response generated by the unconditioned stimulus becomes associated with the conditioned stimulus, creating a conditoned response
operant conditioning
when behaviour is learned as a result of rewards or punishments
Dual Process theory
both habituation and sensitization are always at work, the dominant one will depend on the situation (ie. when aroused sensitization is more prevalent and when relaxed habituation is mre prevalent)
acquisition
initial learning of an association btw unconditioned and condition stimuli during classical conditioning
extinction
reduction of a learned response when a unconditioned stimulus no longer follows the conditioned stimulus
spontaneous recovery
reappearance of conditioned response after periods of rest during extinction
generalization
tendency to respond to stimuli that is similar to the original conditioned response
discrimination
learned ability to distinguish between stimuli (learning to respond to a particular stimuli but not to another similar one)
continguity
the condition such that conditioned stimuli and unconditioned stimuli must be presented close in time to each other for classical conditioning to work
contingency
the condition such that the conditioned stimulus must consistently precede the unconditioned stimulus for classical conditioning to work
blocking
previously learned association to one stimulus that prevents the learning of a new association (since the learning of the second response would not provide any predictive value and associations are only made toe eveets that are informative)
counterconditioning
technique used to replace an undesirable response to a stimulus with a more desirable one
fear conditioning
associative learning in which a neutral stimulus becomes linked to an aversive stimulus, resulting in a fear reaction to a previously neutral stimulus - involves the amygdala, which is also involved in conditioned reward due to being well positioned for creating connections between memory related and reflex mediating and autonomic brain structures
drug tolerance
decline in physiological and behavioural effects of a drug that is taken repeatedly (drug tolerance can be developed in part due to conditioning because the body reacts to other cues that signal the drug, therefore overdoses are more common in uncommon environments)
Preparedness
organisms are biologically predisposed to learn some associations more quickly than others (especially connections that may help them survive (ie. taste aversions to foods that were followed by sickness)
law of effect
behaviours that are followed by satisfying outcomes are more likely to be repeated and vice versa
ABC of operant condiitoning
antecedents: situation or stimulus that precedes the behaviour and set the stage for the behaviour to happen
behaviour: voluntary action that takes place (operant response)
consequences: the stimuli that is presented after the behaviour will increase or decrease the likelihood of the behaviour being repeated
Reinforcement
a consequence that increases the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated